Portugal for Food and Wine Lovers
Trip highlights
- Visit local markets and historic cafes in Lisbon
- Tour vineyards dating back to the 16th century
- Explore Portugal's prettiest historic monuments
- Enjoy tastings of port in the city of Porto
- Delight in sampling wines in the Douro Valley
- Take part in a traditional cooking workshop
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–4 Lisbon
- Days 4–7 Douro Valley
- Days 7–9 Porto
- Days 1–4 Lisbon
- Days 4–7 Douro Valley
- Days 7–9 Porto
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
A culinary introduction in Lisbon
Your trip begins with three nights in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, where you’ll be shown around the city’s atmospheric streets, visiting food markets and cafes with a local guide as you start your immersion in the country’s rich culinary culture – a perfect introduction to Portugal food tours.
Europe’s second oldest capital, Lisbon is an effortlessly elegant city, full of old-world charm. It’s known as much for its lively restaurant scene and superb fine dining as hole-in-the-wall spots to stop, sip a coffee and savour a Portuguese custard tart in the sunshine.
Out of the city, you can visit the famous Pena Palace in Sintra and discover the historic highlights of Coimbra on your way to your next stop in the Douro Valley.
Where you could stay
Lisbon
Highlights
- 4 restaurants and lounges
- In room dining options
- 2 swimming pools (outdoor and indoor)
- Spa
- Fitness centre
- Rooftop running track
- Pilates studio
Overview
Located in the heart of the Lisbon, at the top of one of the city’s famous seven hills, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz offers spectacular views across the city and river.
282 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with 18th-century style furnishings as well as tapestries, painting and sculptures by contemporary Portuguese artists. Most rooms come with a private balcony overlooking the hotel gardens, Eduardo VII Park or the River Tajo so you can enjoy bird’s-eye-views and wonderful sunsets over the city’s rooftops.
One of Lisbon‘s gastronomic gems, the Verandah restaurant serves fresher-than-fresh seafood caught from the nearby Atlantic Ocean and boasts an impressive wine cellar. For those with a keen interest in cooking, the hotel can arrange tastings, visits to the fish market and cooking classes. There is a also a sushi bar for fresh, healthy bites.
Named after the famous Portuguese artist, Jose Almada Negreiros, the hotel lounge is a favourite haunt for guests and locals alike. The centrepiece of the Ritz bar is Pedro Leitao’s piano, which has been signed by world-famous artists. Take a seat under one of the hand-made Centauros tapestries or head out onto the terrace to drink in the views.
There is a spa featuring an indoor pool and treatment rooms for when you want to completely unwind, as well as a rooftop fitness centre and running track for those who like an active start to their day.
There are 60 pieces of art throughout the hotel and privatley guided tours can be arranged for guests to learn more about them and their history.
→ Find out moreLisbon
Highlights
- Restaurant and bar
- Boutique spa
- Wine tasting
- Classic and sophisticated decor
Overview
Located in the heart of Lisbon in the captivating Chiado, Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real neighbourhoods, facing the breathtaking panoramic views of the São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint and the emblematic Glória Tram, you’ll find the stunning Palácio Ludovice hotel.
The property is a former private residence of João Federico Ludovice, architect to King João V in the 18th century and the restoration has been sympathetic to original features and character. The decor is classic, sophisticated and with depth and warmth in the choice of colour and soft furnishings that gives an eclectic and intriguing feel.
The hotel has 61 rooms and suites. There are 4 room categories, some offering multiple windows and balconies with unparalleled city views while others have gorgeous interior courtyard sights. There are 3 categories of elegant suites with spacious marble bathrooms and large windows featuring walk-in rain showers and tubs.
Dining at the hotel is a wonderful experience with food and wine given much thought and appreciation. The courtyard at Palácio Ludovice is the rendezvous place for food lovers and wine connoisseurs. The hotel’s facilities also include a spa and wellness area that exudes peace and serenity with signature wellness treatments and a carefully curated boutique shop with a selection of the most exclusive products and a fully equipped gym.
→ Find out moreLisbon
Overview
Surrounded by the forests of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, you’d never guess this sprawling resort was just 30 minutes from the centre of Lisbon.
Encompassing a 19th-century palace originally founded as a monastery in the 14th century, 27 Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed golf holes amid within historic ruins and a modern spa and wellness center, the Penha Longa Resort is a fine base out of the city.
There are 194 stylish rooms, all with balconies, six restaurants, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and acres of grounds to explore.
During your time here, venture into the capital city, discover the national park or head to nearby Estoril and Cascais beaches for a surfing lesson. Families are also well catered for here with a kid’s club.
→ Find out moreLisbon on a plate
Private tour and petiscos tasting
Meet your local host and set off for an authentic experience of life in Lisbon. Strolling through the wonderful old streets, you’ll learn about Portuguese gastronomy and history, dipping into food markets and shops as you go. The day comes to a close with an evening with petiscos and Portuguese wine, a true taste of what it’s like to live in Lisbon, rather than just visit.
Chef-led cooking class and dinner
Learn the secrets to preparing the ultimate Portuguese meal under the guidance of a renowned local chef. During the class, you’ll learn not just how to prepare some of the country’s most traditional dishes with refinement, but delve into the cultural significance of each ingredient you use. The experience concludes with dinner – by which time you’ll feel like you’ve spent your life in a Portuguese kitchen.
A wine-tasting masterclass
There’s a world of wine to discover in Portugal: fourteen wine-producing regions, each with numerous grape varieties and distinct local styles. Dive into the secrets of the finest vintages during an in-depth pairing and tasting masterclass in the atmospheric setting of one of the city’s best wine bars. You’ll be guided by an award-winning viticulturist, part of a winemaking family whose heritage dates back over a century.
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Sintra
Coimbra
Fairytale palaces
Hundreds of years of history and culture await in Sintra. Visit the 19th-century Pena Palace, its architecture an incredible combination of styles, colours and shapes. The surrounding park, both forest and elegant gardens, are charming to wander. You can uncover more Sintra’s history visiting the Castelo dos
Mouros and Monserrate Palace with a local guide.
Ancient history
Leaving Lisbon on your way to the Douro Valley, discover a different era of Portugal’s fascinating past with a stop in Coimbra. This small city was the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal in the Middle Ages. Today, historical landmarks abound. Led by an expert guide, tour the university, the historic quarter and the Romanesque Old Cathedral before a leisurely lunch.
Dive into the wines of the Douro Valley
The Douro River winds its way from the north of Spain, along the Portuguese border and eastward to Porto where it meets the sea. Roughly midway on its course across Portugal, a stretch of its waters is flanked by a dramatic valley covered in bright green rows of grape vines. This is the Douro Valley’s Alto Douro, an area synonymous with wine tasting in Portugal, where wine has been produced for some 2000 years, the first wine-growing region in the world to be formally demarcated in 1756 and a UNESCO World Heritage-protected landscape.
You’ll enjoy a three-night stay here at the fabulous Six Senses. Winery touring and tasting is the main order of the day, with an array of stunning adega as well as traditional and boutique growers to discover. The region’s sprinkling of historic towns and rustic villages are also wonderful to wander around, while the rugged mountains to the east are home to the Côa Valley’s prehistoric rock art and some great hikes. Other popular activities in the area include challenging mountain biking, laid-back river cruises and bird watching.
Where you could stay
Douro Valley
Highlights
- Wine and port tastings
- Vineyard tours
- 60 rooms and suites
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Wine library
Overview
Set on a wide bend of the Douro river amid wonderful woodland, Six Senses Douro Valley occupies a thoroughly renovated 19th-century manor house with fabulous views out over the surrounding vineyards.
The interior blends original features and monumental beams with contemporary artwork. Many of the rooms feature vast floor-to-ceiling windows and wonderful views. Suites overlook the Douro, and there is a selection of multi-roomed apartments and a villa with its own pool for the utmost privacy.
Three restaurants and a range of dining areas celebrate the region, with seasonal produce from the fertile valley and the estate’s organic gardens. Sample some of the Wine Library’s hundreds of vintages with nightly tastings, or watch the sunset with a cocktail on the terrace.
An expansive spa has ten treatment rooms and there is both a heated indoor and scenic outdoor pool.
Many of the experiences here are, naturally, wine-focused. Vineyard tours, port tasting and unique harvesting experiences are complemented by trips to explore the historic towns and villages that dot this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The adventurous can head out hiking, mountain biking and canyoning, while river cruises are a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Six Senses Douro Valley is committed to environmental preservation. The resort actively protects and regenerates a vast 10-acre (4-hectare) woodland on its property.
- The Six Senses’ restaurants offer a culinary celebration of the Douro Valley’s rich bounty. Embracing the region’s natural abundance, much of the produce is sourced from the fertile valley and surrounding countryside. The resort features an on-site organic garden brimming with vegetables and herbs, ensuring that ingredients are harvested only when needed, guaranteeing the utmost freshness and flavour in every dish.
- Preserving the historical fabric of old buildings is paramount, embodying a tangible connection to the past and reflecting the cultural heritage of a place. Six Senses Douro Valley exemplifies this commitment through meticulous renovation efforts at their exquisite manor house, which boasts records dating back to 1464. Every stone within these hallowed walls carries a unique narrative, a testament to the passage of time and the stories ingrained in the structure.
Explore the valley
Hiking
Tasting
Dining
Dining
Exploring the Alto Douro
There’s no better way to appreciate the Alto Douro wine region than on a hike. Follow the river on an incredibly scenic and medium-difficulty trail, flanked by vineyards and beautiful views. Your break for a picnic lunch with your hiking guide allows you to truly soak up the atmosphere of a wine region with viticultural heritage stretching back to the Romans.
Visit Quinta do Crasto
You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Douro Valley vintages at Quinta do Crasto, where a personalised and private guided tour awaits. This family-owned winery produces port and olive oil as well as superb wines, which you’ll taste alongside local cheeses and cured meats looking out over the vineyards. The oldest parts of the cellars and house date back to the 17th century.
Lunch at Casa de Sezim
At Casa de Sezim, a winery set in a 14th-century manor house, Vinho Verde is the star of the show. This delicate and lightly effervescent “green” wine is as famous within Portugal as the Douro’s rich and robust reds. Learn about winemaking methods and the property’s history on a guided tour, then and sample the estate’s best bottles over a lavish three-course meal.
Fabulous dining in Porto
Your trip concludes with two nights in the beautiful city of Porto. Portugal’s second city is one of Europe’s most charming. Built on a steep riverbank, its colourful medieval houses ascend from the calm waters of the Douro River where wooden boats bob on the surface.
You’ll have ample time to explore and sample some of the city’s superb restaurants, pairing fabulous views with delectable pesticos – the Portuguese cousin of Spanish tapas. A tour with a resident foodie and visits to the city’s famous port wineries complete your gourmet immersion.
Where you could stay
Porto
Highlights
- 109 rooms and suites
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Spa
- Two gourmet restaurants
Overview
This hotel was the family home of the Yeatmans, the British owners of a large port business. A hillside position on the banks of the River Douro in the heart of Vila Nova de Gaia and next to ancient port houses puts the hotel in a prime position for epic views and interesting activities.
The decor is classic and elegant, in keeping with the family’s heritage. The 109 rooms and suites feature antique artefacts and pictures from different Portuguese wine producers, opening out onto private balconies overlooking the river and the city’s historic centre. Be immersed in the city’s culture in the ADF Suite, where the bed head is an original barrel top and the domed oak ceiling mimics the enormous oak barrels used in wine production.
A highlight of a stay at The Yeatman is dining at the two gourmet restaurants. Enjoy imaginative cuisine where the traditional flavours are reinterpreted and presented immaculately. The restaurant is bright and airy and offers spectacular views over the river. There’s a comprehensive list of Portuguese wines and food and wine pairing menus take you on a journey through Portugal’s diverse and varied wine regions.
Relax and unwind at the hotel spa which offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, using natural ingredients from the surrounding vineyards. There is also an indoor and outdoor rooftop pool – take a dip in the evening and admire the twinkling lights of the city laid out before you.
→ Find out morePorto
Overview
Indulge in sophisticated luxury amid elegant surroundings at InterContinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas in the centre of Porto. The exquisitely restored interiors speak of the palace’s grand past.
The 105 charming and spacious rooms and suites offer views out over peaceful enclosed gardens, Liberdade Square and the Clerigos Tower. The design is contemporary, making for comfortable inner-city havens. Chic suites boast living rooms, and balconies with views out over the Porto skyline.
Dine in style at Astoria Restaurant, where the menu features traditional Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine with modern flourishes. Local, seasonal ingredients ensure the richness of the traditional flavours is preserved. As the sun goes down sip on cocktails and port wines in the elegantly stylish Cardosas Bar. Styled on a British library, this is also where you’ll find an indulgent afternoon tea.
When you are not out exploring the fascinating city, relax with a spa treatment or two, or fit in a work out in the fitness centre.
→ Find out morePorto
Highlights
- 85 fully appointed bedrooms and suites
- 8 room categories
- VOGUE Cafe with bar, restaurant and patio
- Room service
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
Overview
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant city of Porto, Portugal, Infante Sagres has been a symbol of sophistication and refinement since its establishment in 1951.
As you step through the grand entrance, you’ll immediately be captivated by the hotel’s magnificent architecture, which blends classic design elements with contemporary touches. The meticulously restored interior showcases a seamless fusion of opulence and comfort, creating an ambiance that exudes both grandeur and intimacy.
There are 85 rooms and suites in total – all of which have been refurbished to bring the Infante Sagres back to its former glory as Porto’s premier historic luxury hotel. Guests can choose from 8 different rooms types, some with spectacular views over the historic city of Porto.
Infante Sagres also plays host to the elegant and stylish Vogue Café – a space which invites you to step inside the Vogue world – a world of excitement, luxury and timeless elegance. Discover their all-day menu featuring the best in contemporary European cuisine as you take in the décor that feels like it has been lifted directly from the pages of the magazine.
With its prime location, the hotel serves as the perfect base for exploring the charms of Porto. When it’s time to step outside, bask in the beauty of Neoclassical structures and statues as you stroll down Avenida dos Aliados. Or go back to the Ribeira neighborhood, where the city first began, stopping to admire the views from the hilltop cathedral. In the evening, head back to the hotel to experiment with one of their fabulous, freshly prepared cocktails or choose from an extensive list of fine wines and champagnes.
→ Find out morePorto in a glass
Taste the finest ports
Led by an expert guide, unravel the stories of Porto’s fabulous food and wine culture. You’ll discover the essence of the city as you conclude by delving into the history of port with an exclusive tasting of vintage bottles at Graham’s Winery.
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.